A few days ago, we were contacted about the Sydenham Society's discovery that rail operator Southern is planning service reductions along the Brockley line from next year.

We already know about the plan to replace the Charing X direct services with trains terminating at London Bridge from December. In addition, Sydenham Society has discovered that from May 2010 there will be an absolute reduction in services by one third along the line from Brockley to London Bridge at off-peak times and at peak time during the evening. Services will be reduced from six to four trains per hour.

Without a legitimate explanation, such losses would be unacceptable. The introduction of the East London Line doesn't require a reduction in main line services and it doesn't compensate for the loss of capacity on an already-crowded route in to London Bridge (recently identified as one of the capital's congestion hotspots). The East London Line will be a wonderful addition to Brockley's transport options - but the London Bridge route is essential.

We held off publishing the story because a meeting between residents, Council officials and representatives of Southern was planned this week, where it was hoped the facts could be established and an explanations offered. Perhaps this was just a temporary measure as a result of Thameslink works - annoying, but perhaps understandable?

Well the meeting has taken place, but Southern declined to attend, so all the attendees were able to do was confirm the reductions and speculate about the reasons for them. Here's Malcom's report, which we're very grateful for - the most likely explanation seems to be his final suggestion:

The meeting was a bit of waste of time. Despite having notice of the issue, the representative of Southern Rail did not turn up. The Council Officers basically confirmed the service reductions but said that thesewere included in the tender that Southern made and which was approved by the Department of Transport and it was not a transport operational issue that could be dealt with at the meeting I attended.

They have agreed however that it is a strategic issue it could bereferred to the Council's strategic transport committee and I have written to Councillor Heidi Alexander, who chairs that committee,accordingly.

It looks therefore that the whole thing is a deal done with central government without local residents even knowing.

The Officers tried to give us some ideas of what lead to the decision to reduce the services, but at best they were guesses as they were not partyto it and at worse don't really stack up except as excuses:

First, we were told that platform lengthening will take place on the line to allow for 10 carriage trains. This may be done some time in 2011 but Sydenham Society have been told that it is likely to be 2013 before the longer trains run. This cannot therefore be a justification forreducing the services in 2009/2010 and, indeed, less-frequent trains are hardly an improvement over more-frequent trains, particularly as they do not restore the missing capacity in full (40 carriages per hour compared to the current 48 carriages per hour).Second, we were told that the changes might be necessary because of capacity problems at Charing Cross. However later in the meeting Southern, (who run the services through Lewisham) reported that they were increasing the number of trains they ran through. At best, we are losing services so that others gain.Finally, we were told that some re-scheduling might be due to the works being carried out at London Bridge although this would only justify atemporary change whilst these are intended to be permanent and, in any event, we have been previously told by London Bridge station staff that the works at London Bridge were to be carried out with “minimal inconvenience” to passengers – which this wholesale reduction in services clearly is not.An alternative - more cynical explanation - would be that this has been done because the Government wants to get as much cash from the franchise as they can and Southern would only take the obligation on. The only way that could be done was by cutting services. As local services are less profitable than long distance services, we were the ones to suffer.

It's time for the people affected along this line to take action. We need to make our voice heard. The best course of lobbying now is two fold:1/ directly to our MPs - there is a general election coming up which should focus their minds, after all, a few thousand votes could swing on the issue2/ to press the Council, through our Councillors, to support our lobby of the MPs and Department of Transport. After all, they too have something to lose here.
We'll publish the relevant contact details shortly.

75
comments:

This completely takes the shine off the ELL for me. The ELL was only ever of interest as a supplement to exisiting services not as a replacement. What happened to the assurances we had about a year ago from Southern that there would be no reduction in London Bridge services? There was an article here about it. Southern at that time said they would maintain the level of service to London Bridge yet it appears that they knew all along that number of services would fall as agreed by them and central government.

This and reduction in services to central London right across SE London basically leaves us in a worse situation than before the ELL extension was ever conceived! Also, the fact that the Southern representative couldn't even be bothered to turn up shows the degree of contempt they hold for their paying customers.

In addition to contact addresses I wonder if there's anything in the way of a template or even just a list of points to hit in communications to all and sundry saying this is a bad thing that is kicking around / could be put together. Much easier to write a "please don't do this because ..." if you have some pre-thought because's ready (especially when I suspect the "please don't do it because it'll be inconvenient to me" is likely to receive short shrift).

@HH From what I read I didn't think that they were using the introduction of the ELL as any sort of excuse for this (although no doubt practically speaking it actually does play a part).

Those at fault will get away with it because we have forgotten how to protest and they know that, other than a few persuasive pieces in the media, we will eventually bend over. Is this the same country of Cromwell and the Poll Tax riots? We never used to be such wimps. Why has no-one suggested taking the station at night and holding up until Gordon attends in person and puts things right?

Whilst unfortunate, this was expected. The ELL will be a hub that interchanges with Canada Water. As both the tube and Jubilee line run with metro frequency, so with waiting times reduced is it really a big deal when travelling to London Bridge?

Ask yourself this; if you lived outside of London and had to design transport improvements with a limited budget for all, what would you do?

BTW, Southern are one of the least passenger friendly TOCs their is and it will certainly go against them when retender occcurs. (e.g. not agreeing to Oyster)

Sense - I'm actually not surprised that they are trying to reduce our central London train services, but we were assured about a year ago that there would be no such reduction, however it seems that Southern knew all along that they were going to cut services as the ELL came into services, so essentially they lied.

Southern's budget is not affected by the ELL line extension surely? TFL runs the ELL. It sounds like they are simply using improvements on another line out of their jurisdiction to reduce their own services. Heaven forbid that a train company should actually *gasp* run trains for its customers rather than inflate ticket prices all the time!

Having to get to central London going via Canada Water will involve a lot more stops and 1 change, whereas until now we have had direct access to London Br, 2 stops away with 6 trains per hour off peak. The ELL will not actually improve on this frequency that much and will send us round the houses.

How do you think people in other towns in the UK cope without a station per street?"

They have cars. One of the attractions of living in London is that a car is not essential. If there were not "a station per street" there would be incredible traffic congestion as Londoners drove everywhere. Population density is higher and London is much larger than other towns and cities in the UK.

When this was last discussed I was shot down in flames for suggesting that the ELL was not a fantastic development guaranteed to increase property proces as in fact Southern services would be cut- HA HA last laugh to me. Probably not as I commute to East Croydon at 6 22am and I bet that train will go.

There are two bit issues - reduced services to London Bridge and losing our direct evening and weekend to Charing Cross. And the cause seems to be that Southern have got the franchise on the basis of making a profit (I gather they pay the Government for the franchise rather than receiving a subsidy) and the outer suburbs and Kent services are more profitable.

Interestingly Ken Livingstone wanted the outer South London line (London Bridge to Victoria via Crystal Palace) to come under London Overground control. This was ignored by the government, rail utilisation strategies and the tendering process for the South Central franchise. I wonder if LO would have maintained the levels of service on this route, allowing Southern to get away with stopping just a few of its remaining services at Brockley and the other intermediate stations?

How about someone just says to Southern: "Nice try, I'm sure every franchise operator would like to be able to cherry pick the most profitable services, but that's not how rail franchises are supposed to work - there is a duty to provide a public service, as well as an opportunity to make a profit. Stick to the service you're currently offering."

We all your respect, if local politician haven’t been able to sort out Brockley Station steps/ramps project do you really think you can make a different in this matter. As a resident in Brockley I feel frustrated everytime I use our station and notting is done to date to sort this out.

Has anyone entertained the prospect that there may a decent reason this is delayed? And that constant demands for a "clear timetable for completion" may be making things worse, not better? When I work with people, I don't demand things from anyone. Much less slag them off on public boards.

Anon 17:10 - There may well be a very good reason the works are delayed, if this is the case why is this not explained to those who have enquired by Lewisham BC?

If I understand correctly, everyone (except Catman) who has asked about the works so far has been met with stony silence from our wonderful council. If there's a good reason that our station is a mess, tell us about it rather than leaving us to the unknown!

Well what do you know. Southern is shown to be a company that says one thing with the likely intention of doing another. Not a surprise.

I have become increasingly aware that this company is the PITS for customers. It seems to me the reason they can treat us so shoddily is that we have little choice, cycling, bus-ing are not viable options to get to work efficiently. So they can effectively do what they like and we have to lump it or moan on message boards.

Not communicating to passengers about what's going on is this companys way and not attending the meeting mentioned is just another facet of their cowardly at best contemptous at worst corporate attitude towards customers.

I really want to hit the company where it hurts, which is their pockets and their public profile of their managers. The way this private company is operating a monopoly service is bordering on scandalous and it should be exposed so the next time someone starts braying about private sector being good for public services this serves as an example.

This is the quote from Transport Secretary Lord Adonis when he reawarded Southern's franchise in June

"Passengers in London and the South East can look forward to more frequent rail services, improved stations, more staff and better security, Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said today as he awarded the South Central rail franchise to Southern Railways Ltd., a subsidiary of Govia Ltd - the current franchise operator."

Misleading at best.

Don't doubt the extent to which Southern and its parent company Govia (who also own South Eastern) continue to shaft us. They care about the lucrative routes to Kent and Sussex and don't give a damn about us.

What they do give a damn about is profit and that's where they're vulnerable. We need a campaign across south east London with as many passengers as possible refusing to buy tickets over a specified time period.

Nothing else has a chance of working. Remember this company holds us, as customers, in such contempt that it couldn't even be bothered to turn up to a public meeting.

Nick, you mentioned contact details that people could write to and if anything written could be copied to the amenity societies, Sydenham, Brockley and Telegraph Hill it would give them a handle on what is being said.

Picking up on an earlier posting I don't think a "template" letter is a good idea as it is too easy nowadays to lose credibility, while loads of people individually saying "it inconveniences me" is what the powers that be should be hearing. And it is a perfectly good reason to complain. Public transport is meant to be just that - transport - to where people want to go - that is reasonably efficient and frequent and also delivered at a reasonable cost to ordinary members of the public.

Not impressed by Southern Trains - Cycling is most definitely a viable way to get to work and a way to "hit them (Southern) where it hurts", removing your money from their pockets.

I can get to work by bike in 20-25 mins, it takes over an hour door to door by train or bus. If you get your employer to sign up for the Cycle to Work Scheme you can also save up to about 50% on the cost of the bike and all paraphernalia.

The only disadvantage is that you arrive needing a shower, worse case scenario you can join a gym simply for the use of the showers, the cost is likely to be less than you pay for the pleasure of being crammed onto substandard train swervices with Southern.

1) write directly to Lord Adonis, ccing in all local MPs, the mayor & London assembly - pulling him up on his quote re Southern:

"Passengers in London and the South East can look forward to more frequent rail services, improved stations, more staff and better security, Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said today as he awarded the South Central rail franchise to Southern Railways Ltd., a subsidiary of Govia Ltd - the current franchise operator."

2) a petition on the Downing Street website.

3) Contact local business leaders/forums - this is going to cost them custom - & in the middle of a recession!

4) direct action - if Southern push ahead with this then, seriously, hit them where it hurts & don't pay your fare. Get commuters organised to do this. (For those worried about fines - The Evening Standard recently exposed how train operators don't actually have the power to fine you, & can only make you pay your fare.) Several days of co-ordinated action should raise the profile of this absurd reduction in services.

5) Write to the mayor, council, Lewisham mayor (this is his chance to show he really is green).

6) Write to Southern - if they don't respond contact the local papers & blogs. This is really something that needs maximum publicity.

7) Set up a Facebook group & Twitter account to co-ordinate protests.

There is no way there should be any reduction in services, & certainly not before the ELL is even up & running!

Good idea. I've written the following to Lord Adonis and Darren Johnson, Chair of the London Assembly (can't find anyone specific on the Transport Committee).

"I am writing to find out if there is anything that can be done to reverse Southern's decision to reduce the number of trains running between Brockley station and London Bridge and Charing Cross. Since I have lived in the area (since around 2000), the number of trains running between the inner area of south east London from stations such as New Cross, New Cross Gate and Brockley has done nothing but fall.

Now it appears that Southern plans to cut direct services to Charing Cross to zero and reduce trains numbers further from Brockley to London Bridge to 4 from 6 per hour. Stations in the area have already been identified as one of London's most congested routes by the London Assembly transport committee, yet since these findings, Southern has decided to reduce services yet further! See article in Evening Standard - http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23634320-details/Busiest+trains+carrying+40+per+cent+above+their+capacity/article.do

Lord Adonis said:"Passengers in London and the South East can look forward to more frequent rail services, improved stations, more staff and better security, Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said today as he awarded the South Central rail franchise to Southern Railways Ltd., a subsidiary of Govia Ltd - the current franchise operator."http://whitehallpages.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=204471&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0Southern is now making a mockery of this by actively reducing train services in SE London.

I understand that we will benefit from the new East London line/London Overground extension, however as far as I understood this was conceived as a supplement to existing services rather than an excuse to reduce service still further! The reasons for these cuts were discussed at a recent meeting on Tue 8th Sept, however Southern's respresentitive failed to show up, illustrating the contempt they have for their paying customers. I and many residents of Brockley, previously very well connected to central London, would appreciate any assistance."

I sympathise with those who will be affected by a reduction in service, having lived with the St John's service before I moved away from SE4. BUT! Is is possible that a six-per-hour service is simply not financially viable? And if not, who are you expecting to pay for it?

Blue Eyes, quiet but it really depends on whether you see trains as a profit center or a public service. No one is asking to opperate at a loss across their WHOLE bussiness but they should not be allowed to cut sevices on profit bassis only. French. German/Japaneese trains do not run at a profit, they are seen as part of the transport infastructure of a developed country.

She's a minister in the "Department for Energy and Climate Change" so will have a slightly higher profile than most back benchers.

I've written to her reminding her that supporting public transport is entierly consistant with Climate Change etc... I written to her before and she has replied, although she didn't support me in kicking out the Royals!

@Blue Eyes If a service that's as busy as this one is (people regularly left on the platform at rush hour and often standing room only off-peak) is not financially viable then I don't see how any service can be. But it's not about financial viability. Or at least it shouldn't be.

@Blue Eyes - this debate is a red herring - all train services are heavily subsidised by the taxpayer, the debate is over the degree of subsidy and the operating profit that operators are allowed to make.

Southern has been operating these services for years, without any suggestion that they are "unprofitable".

Brockley passengers couldn't pay any more, even if we wanted to. The trains are full to the brim, so it's not a question of squeezing more people on and the prices are regulated. Brockley passengers pay the same price as any other zone 2 users of any rail service.

And a series of well publicised, well attended public meetings at the various affected places along the line - Sydenham / Forest Hill / Brockley / Telegraph Hill-New Cross Gate. Unfortunately these take time and energy to organise but this blog seems to be a good place to recruit a core team of a dozen or so who are prepared to book halls, print flyers, stand around outside the stations distributing them etc. The amenity societies - who were already invovled/invited to the meeting Nick referred to in the original post - could perhaps co-ordinate, but they haven't got the volunteer-power to take it forward without help. Malcolm has already posted on thehill website - if anyone wants to help on with a public meeting on the Telegraph Hill/NXG side please can they e-mail him ths@baccma.co.uk

This completely does my nut. Public action / protest is essential. We need to inform the 90% of passengers who travel from Brockley everyday that do not read this message board - i.e. flyers & posters with contact details of who to badger about this.

Tamsin - One volunteer here. And I'm sure a few others on this board wouldnt mind getting involved.

I think it is also worth contacting the Tories & Lib Dems - find out who their local candidates are & make clear this will decide who you vote for in the general election. That should get Labour to take notice!

Contacting Tory & Lib Dem HQs to tell them this is a clear example of the government failing to live up to its supposed commitment to tackling climate change & congestion is another route.

There are a couple of months before these changes are set to come in - that is sufficient time to organise a campaign, & if necessary, protests.

Blocking the line might be the action of last resort, especially if Southern refuse to engage.

This wouldn't be such an issue if a) there were decent bus routes (by which I mean ones that don't take 30-40 mins to get to Elephant & Castle) as an alternative, but there aren't any; b) there were more trains on other lines - e.g. via Crofton Park & Ladywell.

Worth asking the mayor whether he was aware of this impending reduction in service before he allowed the proposed extra trains through Crofton Park to be axed.

David,I have spoken to the chair of the GLA transport committee - Caroline Pidgeon (Lib Dem Assembly Member). I will be speaking to Jim Dowd (Labour MP) tomorrow. Details have also been sent to the local Conservative PPC for Lewisham West and Penge.It is very good to see lots of people along the line finding different politicians to lobby on this issue, and to have the support from a range of different political parties.I just hope that our representatives can make a difference before Southern start cutting our services.

Rob, Malcolm thanks for the info. BTW I'm a reporter for a national newspaper, so think I can help to apply some pressure on our local politicians if need be.

We should perhaps be grateful that at least this is happening in the run up to a general election. Despite Ruddock's comfortable majority, if I were her I wouldn't take re-election for granted given just how low public opinion of this government is.

There's a 'Meet the Manager' session at London Bridge on Thursday 15 October at 0730-0930

http://www.southernrailway.com/main.php?page_id=92

Their company blurb says: "It's your chance to speak directly to the people who make the decisions which affect you and get a response on the spot. You'll get an insight into the running of Southern, and hearing your views will help us to improve the services and facilities we provide.

When I left Brockley to live in Cornwall just over two years ago, I felt sure that as soon as I had moved, house prices in the area would triple (largely thanks to the East London Line extension) Brockley Road would start to resemble Lordship Lane, all the local pubs (i.e. the Brockley Barge) would be completely renovated into somewhere you might actually want to drink and Staffordshire bull terriers would be made illegal. Just a brief glimpse of this thread - in fact anything to do with the plight of commuters forced to use the woefully underserviced rush hour routes - has lifted my spirits.

Councillor Dean Walton has proposed a motion to full council on Thursday evening (24th September - 7:30pm), see details on Lewisham website.

This motion opposes cuts to rail services on our line and I hope it will get cross party support.

I am told that a good turn out in the public gallery will get it discussed early on the agenda and will make sure that the council take this issue more seriously. Please attend this meeting if you can.